Lock means for gasolene-supply tanks.



[I I II 4 H .l. R. CROSS, SR. & J. R. CROSS, JR LOCK MEANS FOR GASOLENE'SUPPLY TANKS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22. IBIS.

Lwfifiw, Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

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JOHN R. CROSS, SIL, AND JOHN R. CROSS, JR, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

LOCK MEANS FOR GASOLENE-SUPPLY TANKS.

Specification of Letters IPatent.

Patented (let. 2%, 1213.

Application filed November 22, 1915. Serial No. 62,812. i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN R. Cnoss, Sr., and Jonn R. ()noss, J12, citizens of the United States, residing at Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lock Means for Gasolene-Supply Tanks, of which the following is a speci iication.

Our invention relates to improvements in lock means for controlling the flow of gasolene or other fuel from the tank of an automobile to the carbureter of the engine.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which are simple in construction, inexpensive in manufacture, and convenient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course oi the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying the invention, showing the same arranged with in the tank of an automobile. Fig. 2 is a similar view upon an enlarged scale and removed from the tank, parts being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4:% of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on line 55 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a key.

111 the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment oi our invention, the numeral 10 designates an automobile of any well known or preferred construction having a tank 11 for holding gasolene or other liquid. This tank is shown as located beneath the seat 12, while it may be arranged in any other suitable position. The tank 11 is shown as pro vided with a removable plug or cap 11, by means of which such tank is filled with gasolene.

In the bottom of the tank 11 is a screwthreaded opening 13, in which is arranged a plug 1 1, having a centrally disposed aperture 15. This aperture or opening extends through an exteriorly screw-threaded boss or trunnion 16, adapted for connection in an outlet pipe 17 by means of a tubular coupling 18. The pipe 17 leads to the carbureter (not shown) of the engine.

Rigidly mounted upon the top of the plug 1 1 is apad-lock 22 of any well known or preferred construction, the same embodying a hasp 23, adapted when released to automatically move to the open position. This hasp 23 carries a valve or valve-plate 24, adapted when the hasp is in the closed or locked position to cover the opening and when the hasp is open to uncover such opening. The hasp 23 carries an upstanding pin 25, for a purpose to be described.

The top of the tank 11 is provided with a screw-threaded opening 26 for the reception of a removable cap or plug 27, which has a greater diameter than the plug 14, whereby the latter may be withdrawn through the opening 26. This cap or plug 27 has rigid connection with rods 28, rigidly attached to plug 1 1. It is thus apparent that when the cap or plug 27 is removed the plug 14- is removed with it and any gasolene in the tank will. be drained therefrom. The cap or plug 27 has connection with tubes 29 and 30, also connected with the plug 14. Extending longitudinally within the tubes 29 and 30 are rotatable rods 31 and 32 respectively. The rod 32 extends into the body portion of the pad-lock and upon being turned serves to operate the same so that the hasp is released and automatically moves to the open position. The rod 30 has a crank 33 rigidly connected therewith and operating in a groove 34. The crank 33 is adapted to contact with the pin 25, when the hasp 23 is in the open position and will swing this hasp to the closed or locked position. Each of the rods 31 and 32, as shown in Fig. 5, is provided at its upper end with a portion or extension 34:, which may be square in cross-section, and adapted for insertion within the lower end of a key 32, as shown in Fig. 6, for turning the same.

In operation, when it is desired to prevent the use of the automobile by unauthorized persons the rod 31 is turned counterclockwise, whereby the crank 33 engages the pin 25 and moves the hasp 23 to the locked position, with the valve-plate 2-1- covering the opening 15, whereby the feeding of the gasolene to the pipe 17 and hence to the carburetor is impossible. WVhen it is desired to operate the automobile by an authorized person, the key is employed to turn the rod 32, whereby the hasp 23 is re leased and automatically springs to the open position whereby valve-plate 24 uncovers the opening 15, allowing gasolene to pass into the pipe 17.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subj o'ine'dclaim.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

The combination with a tank provided in its top and bottom with openings, an apertured plug adapted for insertion within the opening in the bottom, a second plug adapted for insertion within an opening in the top, means connecting the plugs, a look secured to the firstnamed plug and embodying a movable member adapted to automatically move to the open position when released, a valve plate carried by the movable member and adapted to cover and uncover the aperture in the first named plug, means to operate the lock to release the movable member, and means to return the movable member to th closed position.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN R. CROSS, Sn. JOHN R. CROSS, JR.

Witnesses:

LIBBIE L. GALLAGHER, C. J. GALLAGHER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

